We regularly deliver PPG17 open space, facility and playing pitch studies and are, as a result, very familiar with the requirements of the LDF/Core Strategy process and the need to provide comprehensive, reliable data. This is needed to underpin recommendations and provision standards which can stand up to scrutiny within the planning process.

Working on both sides of the fence, for developers and local authorities, we work hard to ensure that our reports are sufficiently robust to underpin production of supplementary planning documents with the express purpose of allowing councils to secure developer contributions to improve existing and provide new provision. This is a vital issue; one which has been brought into even sharper focus by the recent economic downturn.

As an example, we have provided PPG17 support in all the local authorities in West Yorkshire; from an assessment of sports facilities in Leeds on behalf of GVA Grimley and Leeds Grammar School to full open space, sport and recreation studies for Kirklees, Bradford and Calderdale councils. The latter recently received a Strategic Planning Award from Sport England as a result of its Open Space SPD.

"KKP's work clearly informed our Open Space SPD that has recently received a Strategic Planning Award from Sport England. This would not have been possible without KKP's technical and forensic procedures." Pam Smithies, Systems and Information Officer, Calderdale Council.

PPG17 brings new challenges to the development of planning policy for open spaces, moving away from formulaic and increasingly irrelevant generic standards. We strongly endorse the emphasis on locally derived standards. We would also affirm the national endorsement included in the latest edition of the CABE Space publication, Open Space Strategies: Best Practice Guidance. This reflects the latest thinking on the role of open space in improving the quality of people's lives across England.

It too, stresses the importance of understanding local supply and demand for open spaces in order to identify deficiencies, secure new provision, and improve quality through better management. Spatial elements of an open space strategy feed into the local development framework and can be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The importance of full and inclusive face-to-face consultation cannot be underestimated. It is vital to demonstrate that the assessment incorporates a comprehensive ‘bottom-up' approach. The validity and depth of this high quality platform to underpin the planning process is fundamental and is, we believe, what separates a KKP PPG17 assessment from those produced by the rest of the crowd.

Rather than being over-reliant upon responses to questionnaires, we believe that meeting local people in their own communities is essential in order to accurately identify levels of demand for, and qualitative issues around, each typology and to highlight key differences by local area and group.

This is why we often find ourselves in the living room of an allotment secretary, at a youth club on a Friday night or even in the local butchers shop meeting the rugby club secretary!

Open space strategies and assessments are needed to negotiate developer contributions and to protect provision within the planning system. But in the absence of regulation, how can local authorities ensure that full and accurate site audits are carried out following a forensic process of identification of all sites, regardless of ownership or access?

Reputation and endorsement is the answer. Sport England recently commended KKP for its approach and outcomes:

"Having reviewed a number of KKP's documents, it is my view that their use of strategic planning tools, analysis and interpretation and adherence to PPG17 guidance is exemplary, providing clients with thorough and comprehensive working documents. KKP is raising the bar and councils should expect this level of diligence and attention to detail when commissioning this type of work." (Sport England's Facilities Improvement Service (FIS) Adviser)

"The (Salford) report is a good example of a comprehensive assessment of playing fields ...we endorse the document" (Sport England)

Need we say more? Find our more about KKP's involvement in PPG17 open space studies.